Keypoints:
- Kamto defects to Pan-Africanist MANIDEM
- Biya seeks eighth term at age 92
- Nineteen contenders in October 12 race
VETERAN opposition leader Maurice Kamto has officially entered Cameroon’s presidential race, aiming once again to unseat the country’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, in the vote set for October 12.
According to a provisional list released on Friday by the electoral commission, ELECAM, Kamto will stand as the presidential candidate for the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM).
MANIDEM leader Anicet Ekane confirmed Kamto’s switch in a local television interview, stating: ‘He will resign from the MRC to join MANIDEM.’
Kamto, 71, previously ran under the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in 2018, coming second to Biya in a disputed poll. His decision to contest under a different party signals a strategic political shift and an alignment with MANIDEM’s Pan-Africanist roots.
Biya’s grip on power faces renewed challenge
President Paul Biya, now 92, is seeking an eighth term in office. He has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him one of the longest-reigning leaders in Africa and the world.
His continued candidacy has sparked renewed concerns among opposition figures and civil society groups who say Cameroon urgently needs democratic renewal. Critics accuse his administration of stifling dissent, weakening institutions, and presiding over widespread corruption.
Opposition field widens to 19
So far, nineteen candidates have declared their intention to stand in the election. Among them are political heavyweights such as former prime minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a long-time Biya ally, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned as employment minister last month to launch his own presidential bid.
ELECAM is expected to announce the definitive list of approved candidates by early August after completing its vetting process.
New party, old battle
Kamto’s shift from the MRC to MANIDEM comes amid broader efforts by opposition figures to present a united front against Biya’s ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Analysts suggest the switch may also help Kamto tap into new political constituencies, especially among Pan-Africanist youth and civil society actors.
The coming weeks will see an intensification of political activity as candidates prepare for what is expected to be a tense and high-stakes campaign.
While Biya retains strong control over state institutions, voter fatigue and growing demands for reform—particularly among Cameroon’s younger population—could make the 2025 election his most serious test in decades.
The official campaign period will begin in early September, with nationwide rallies, debates, and media coverage set to define the tone of the race.
